Puzzle and game flooring

ABSTRACT

A puzzle and game flooring is disclosed. The puzzle and game flooring comprises a plurality of flooring tiles and a plurality of puzzle pieces. The flooring tiles interlock to form a flooring for a room. The puzzle pieces are arranged in the flooring tiles by a user to solve puzzles. The puzzle pieces are formed in the shape of specific land masses or pieces of a game board. Each puzzle piece comprises information about the puzzle, the puzzle piece, or the game. Once the puzzle pieces have been arranged to solve a puzzle or create a game board, a plurality of game pieces are used to play a game on top of the puzzle pieces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to puzzles and games. More specifically,the present invention discloses a flooring system incorporating puzzlesand games with shaped puzzle and game pieces that fit together to form aflooring while providing effective educational tools and entertaininggames.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Traditional flooring includes carpeting, wood, and ceramic or stonetiles.

The conventional carpet includes a woven fabric that is cut to size,stretched and glued over a concrete or stapled over a wooden floor.

While carpet can be comfortable to walk on particularly in coldclimates, carpet is easily soiled and appears dirty and unsightly. Oncethe carpet is dirty the entire carpet must be cleaned. Even if only asmall portion of the carpet is dirty, if only one area of the carpet iscleaned the color of the carpet will be uneven.

Also, the carpet is difficult and time consuming to clean. In order toclean a carpet special appliances are required. To vacuum a carpet avacuum cleaner is required and to clean a carpet a carpet shampooer isneeded. Both appliances can be purchased but they are relativelyexpensive. It also takes time for a shampooed carpet to dry and duringthe drying time the carpet cannot be walked on. This is an additionalinconvenience encountered with the conventional carpet.

Furthermore, carpets are expensive to replace as it requires aprofessional to remove the old carpet, clean and prepare the basesurface, and then cut, stretch, and install the new carpet.

The conventional wood flooring includes strips of wood with grooves andtongues that fit together to form the wood flooring.

While wood flooring enhances a well decorated room, the wood flooring isexpensive.

Also, a disadvantage of wood flooring is that the wood is easilyscratched or damaged and expensive to replace.

Furthermore, it is time consuming and tiresome to frequently wax orpolish wood flooring in order to keep the wood looking presentable.

The conventional ceramic or stone tile is relatively easy to clean bymopping. However, after cleaning the tile needs to be waxed or polishedin order to shine.

Also, the tiles break or crack easily and need to be frequentlyreplaced.

Additionally, the grouting between the tiles is easily stained,discolored, and chips away and separates from tiles. As a result, thegrouting must be routinely replaced by a professional.

Therefore, there is need for an improved flooring system that inaddition to providing an efficient flooring surface also provideseffective learning puzzles and entertaining games.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve these and other advantages and in order to overcome thedisadvantages of the conventional methods in accordance with the purposeof the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the presentinvention provides a flooring system incorporating puzzles and gameswith shaped puzzle and game pieces that fit together to form a flooringwhile providing effective educational tools and entertaining games.

The puzzle and game flooring of the present invention comprises aplurality of interlocking flooring tiles that connect together to formthe basic flooring surface of a room. Each of the flooring tilescomprises either a puzzle outline or a puzzle frame outline. The puzzleoutline forms the outer edges of a puzzle and indicates the subject ofthe puzzle. A plurality of puzzle pieces is arranged inside the puzzleoutline of the flooring tile in order to solve the puzzle. When thepuzzle frame outline is provided in the flooring tile, a puzzle frame isinserted into the puzzle frame outline and the puzzle pieces arearranged inside the puzzle frame.

The puzzles can be taken apart and the puzzles can be solved again andagain. The solved puzzles can also remain in the flooring tiles to addto the flooring surface and increase the aesthetic appeal of theflooring.

Some puzzles comprise puzzle pieces that fit together to form a gameboard in the floor tile. For example, the puzzle pieces comprise whiteand black squares that fit together to form a chess board. After thepuzzle has been solved and the chess board is complete, game pieces areplaced on top of the game board and a game of chess can be played.

Some puzzles comprise puzzle pieces that fit together to form a map or acountry. In order to improve the effectiveness of learning, the puzzlepieces are formed in the shape of a land mass. For example, the puzzlepiece is in the shape of a country, state, continent, province, region,etc. Some areas such as, for example, water, oceans, and seas are formedin the puzzle pieces during production.

Additionally, the puzzle pieces are contoured to show mountains,mountain ranges, and terrain contours. This allows students to learnadditional information.

The puzzle pieces of the puzzle and game flooring further comprise dataor information about the land mass or water mass such as countryinformation, continent information, state information, provinceinformation, region information, territory information, etc. Thisfurther increases the amount of information the student can learn whenusing the puzzle and game flooring.

When the data or information is provided on the outer side of the puzzlepiece the student can easily reference the information. When the data orinformation is provided on the inner side of the puzzle piece the datais not visible or is hidden and the student can challenge theirmemorization of the information.

The flooring tiles further comprise markings or indicators such aslongitudinal and latitudinal indicators, land mass location or outline,or water mass location or outline. These markings provide a visualprompting for the student and make the puzzle easier for beginningstudents or allow the student to learn additional longitudinal andlatitudinal information.

Additionally, users can write or draw on top of the flooring tiles orpuzzle pieces with water-soluble pens and easily erase their markings.

To further expand learning, the puzzle and game flooring furthercomprises a plurality of game pieces that are used with the plurality ofpuzzle pieces and/or the tile.

In addition to providing puzzles, the present invention provides agaming platform so the puzzle pieces and the game pieces can be utilizedby users to play entertaining educational games with the puzzle and gameflooring. The game pieces are utilized on top of the puzzle piecesand/or on top of the flooring tiles in order for users to play differentgames.

A plurality of tiles is provided to allow multiple puzzles to be solvedor games to be played with the puzzle and game flooring.

These and other objectives of the present invention will become obviousto those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the followingdetailed description of preferred embodiments.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended toprovide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and game flooring accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and game flooring with puzzlepieces according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a puzzle and gameflooring with puzzle pieces according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a puzzle and gameflooring with puzzle frame according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a puzzle and gameflooring with puzzle pieces according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a puzzle and gameflooring with puzzle frame according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a tile with printingof a puzzle and game flooring according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a tile with tile clearlayer of a puzzle and game flooring according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a tile with tilerubber layer of a puzzle and game flooring according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a tile of a puzzle andgame flooring with tile clear layer according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a puzzle piece withpiece printing layer of a puzzle and game flooring according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a puzzle piece withpiece clear layer of a puzzle and game flooring according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a puzzle piece withpiece rear printing layer of a puzzle and game flooring according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a drawing illustrating a puzzle piece with data of a puzzleand game flooring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a drawing illustrating a puzzle piece with contours of apuzzle and game flooring according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a puzzle and gameflooring with game piece according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a puzzle and gameflooring with game piece according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8A is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and game flooring accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and game flooring accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8C is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and game flooring withinterlocking tile according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8D is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and game flooring withinterlocking tiles according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8E is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and game flooring withinterlocking tile and interlocking puzzle according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 8F is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and game flooring with aplurality of puzzles according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 8G is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and game flooring withinterlocking tiles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in thedrawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

Refer to FIG. 1A, which is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and gameflooring according to an embodiment of the present invention and referto FIG. 1B, which is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and game flooringwith puzzle pieces according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A the puzzle and game flooring100 comprises a tile 200, the tile comprising a puzzle outline 210 toshow the boarder of the puzzle and indicate the subject of the puzzle.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A the puzzle outline 210indicates that the subject of the puzzle is the United States.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B the puzzle and game flooring100 comprises a plurality of puzzle pieces 300 and a tile 200, the tile200 comprising a puzzle outline 210 to show the boarder of the puzzleand indicate the subject of the puzzle and a piece outline 214 to showthe locations of the puzzle pieces 300. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1B the puzzle outline 210 indicates that the subject of the puzzleis the United States and the piece outline 214 shows the location of theState of Arizona. The piece outline 214 allows beginning students tolearn locations before being challenged on a puzzle that does notinclude a piece outline 214.

In an embodiment of the present invention the tile 200 and/or the puzzlepieces 300 further comprise data or information about the land mass orwater mass such as country information, continent information, stateinformation, province information, region information, territoryinformation, land mass information, water mass information, mountaininformation, country flag, sports team information, advertising,population, logo, latitudinal information, longitudinal information,global positioning satellite information, or elevation information, or acombination of country information, continent information, stateinformation, province information, region information, territoryinformation, land mass information, water mass information, mountaininformation, country flag, sports team information, population, logo,latitudinal information, longitudinal information, global positioningsatellite information, and elevation information.

In an embodiment of the present invention the tile 200 and/or the puzzlepieces 300 further comprise markings that indicate longitude andlatitude. In this embodiment the longitudinal and latitudinal indicatorsprovide a reference for the user. Additionally, in embodiments wherelongitudinal and latitudinal information is provided on the puzzlepiece, the user can more easily locate the proper position for thepuzzle piece.

In another embodiment of the present invention the tile 200 furthercomprises markings that indicate land mass or water mass. For example,outlines of oceans or continents are provided so users can easily matchthe shape of the puzzle piece 300 to the markings to find the correctposition and orientation for the puzzle piece 300.

Refer to FIG. 2A, which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating apuzzle and game flooring with puzzle pieces according to an embodimentof the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, the puzzle and game flooring100 comprises a tile 200 and a plurality of puzzle pieces 300. A puzzleoutline 210 is formed in the tile 200 to indicate the subject of thepuzzle and to form an outline for the puzzle. A tile base 212 forms abase for the tile 200 to rest on the sub-flooring surface below the tile200. The plurality of puzzle pieces 300 are properly arranged to solvethe puzzle. The plurality of puzzle pieces 300 fit inside the puzzleoutline 210 and sit on top of the tile base 212 of the tile 200.

Refer to FIG. 2B, which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating apuzzle and game flooring with puzzle frame according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2B, the puzzle and game flooring100 comprises a tile 200 and a puzzle frame 310. The puzzle frame 310comprises a frame for the puzzle pieces to be placed into to solve thepuzzle. In this embodiment the puzzle pieces are arranged inside of apuzzle outline formed in the puzzle frame 310. The tile 200 comprises apuzzle frame outline 213 to hold the puzzle frame 310.

In this embodiment the puzzle frame 310 is placed inside the puzzleframe outline 213 and on top of the tile base 212. The puzzle pieces areplaced and arranged inside the puzzle frame 310.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2B allows different puzzles andpuzzle frames 310 to be placed in the puzzle frame outline 213 withoutchanging or moving the tile 200 of the puzzle and game flooring 100.

Refer to FIG. 3A, which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating apuzzle and game flooring with puzzle pieces according to an embodimentof the present invention.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A is similar to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 2A, however, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.3A the tile 200 does not comprise a tile base and the puzzle pieces 300are placed and arranged inside the puzzle outline and sit on top of thesub-flooring surface.

Refer to FIG. 3B, which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating apuzzle and game flooring with puzzle frame according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B is similar to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 2B, however, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.3B the tile 200 does not comprise a tile base and the puzzle pieces 300are placed and arranged inside the puzzle outline of the puzzle frame310 and the puzzle frame 310 sits on top of the sub-flooring surface.

Refer to FIG. 4A, which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a tilewith printing of a puzzle and game flooring according to an embodimentof the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A the tile 200 comprises a tilefoam layer 220 and a tile printing layer 230. The tile foam layer 220provides the main structure for the tile 200 and also provides a cushionso that walking or sitting on the tile is soft and comfortable.

The tile printing layer 230 comprises a printing such as, for examplescreen printing or transfer printing.

In an embodiment of the present invention the tile printing layer 230further comprises colors, drawings, or graphics. For example, the tileprinting layer 230 comprises different colors, text, or drawings toindicate puzzle subject, to detail puzzle information or data about thepuzzle, or indicate divisions between puzzle piece locations.

Refer to FIG. 4B, which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a tilewith tile clear layer of a puzzle and game flooring according to anembodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4B the tile 200 further comprisesa tile clear layer 240 disposed on top of the tile printing layer 230.

In this embodiment of the present invention the tile clear layer 240comprises a transparent material or coating. Since the tile clear layer240 is transparent, the details of the tile printing layer 230 arevisible from the front side of the tile 200. Positioning the tileprinting layer 230 behind the tile clear layer 240 provides protectionfrom scratches or damages for the tile printing layer 230 as the tileprinting layer 230 is not exposed to the environment or direct contact.

The tile clear layer 240 also allows easier cleaning of the top surfaceof the tile 200.

Additionally, the tile clear layer 240 allows users to write or draw onthe tile 200. For example, spelling words, performing mathematicalexercises, drawing pictures, etc. can be undertaken by marking on thetile clear layer 240 of the tile 200. The markings are easily erased orremoved after use.

Refer to FIG. 4C, which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a tilewith tile rubber layer of a puzzle and game flooring according to anembodiment of the present invention and refer to FIG. 4D, which is across-sectional drawing illustrating a tile of a puzzle and gameflooring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D the tile 200 furthercomprises a tile rubber layer 250 disposed on the back of the tile foamlayer 220. The tile rubber layer 250 sits on top of the sub-flooringsurface and separates the tile foam layer 220 and the sub-flooringsurface. The tile rubber layer 250 provides a grip for the tile 200 andprevents the tile 200 from inadvertently slipping or moving when thetile 200 is walked on or sat on.

Refer to FIG. 5A, which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating apuzzle piece with piece printing layer of a puzzle and game flooringaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A the puzzle piece 300 comprisesa piece foam layer 320 and a piece printing layer 330. The piece foamlayer 320 provides the main structure for the puzzle piece 300 and alsoprovides a cushion so that walking or sitting on the puzzle piece 300 issoft and comfortable.

The piece printing layer 330 comprises a printing such as, for examplescreen printing or transfer printing.

In an embodiment of the present invention the piece printing layer 330further comprises colors, drawings, or graphics. For example, the pieceprinting layer 330 comprises different colors, text, or drawings toindicate puzzle piece 300 name or to detail puzzle piece 300 informationor data about the puzzle piece 300.

Refer to FIG. 5B, which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating apuzzle piece with piece clear layer of a puzzle and game flooringaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5B the puzzle piece 300 furthercomprises a piece clear layer 340 disposed on top of the piece printinglayer 330.

In this embodiment of the present invention the piece clear layer 340comprises a transparent material or coating. Since the piece clear layer340 is transparent, the details of the piece printing layer 330 arevisible from the front side of the puzzle piece 300. Positioning thepiece printing layer 330 behind the piece clear layer 340 providesprotection from scratches or damages for the piece printing layer 330 asthe piece printing layer 330 is not exposed to the environment or directcontact.

The piece clear layer 340 also allows easier cleaning of the top surfaceof the puzzle piece 300.

Additionally, the piece clear layer 340 allows users to write or draw onthe puzzle piece 300. For example, spelling words, performingmathematical exercises, drawing pictures, etc. can be undertaken bymarking on the piece clear layer 340 of the puzzle piece 300. Themarkings are easily erased or removed after use.

Refer to FIG. 5C, which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating apuzzle piece with piece rear printing layer of a puzzle and gameflooring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5D the puzzle piece 300 furthercomprises a piece rear printing layer 335 disposed on the back surfaceof the piece foam layer 320.

The piece rear printing layer 335 is similar to the piece printing layer330, however, since the piece rear printing layer 335 is disposed on theback of the piece foam layer 320 the printing of the piece rear printinglayer 335 is not visible when the puzzle piece 300 is placed down. Thisallows the user to be challenged in their memorization of theinformation contained on the piece rear printing layer 335.

Refer to FIG. 6A, which is a drawing illustrating a puzzle piece withdata of a puzzle and game flooring according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6A, thepuzzle piece 300 is formed in the shape of a land mass such as, forexample, a country, a continent, a state, a province, a region, aterritory or a water mass such as, for example, a lake, an ocean, or asea. For example, the puzzle piece 300 illustrated in FIG. 6A is formedin the shape of the State of Arizona.

Since the shape of the puzzle pieces 300 relate to the shape of the landmass or water mass, the user learns the geographical shape as well asthe position/location of the land or water mass. This is an advantage ofthe present invention.

In some embodiments of the present invention the puzzle pieces 300 ofthe puzzle and game flooring further comprise data 399 or informationabout the land mass or water mass such as, for example, countryinformation, continent information, state information, provinceinformation, region information, territory information, land massinformation, water mass information, mountain information, country flag,sports team information, advertising, population, logo, latitudinalinformation, longitudinal information, global positioning satelliteinformation, or elevation information, or a combination of countryinformation, continent information, state information, provinceinformation, region information, territory information, land massinformation, water mass information, mountain information, country flag,sports team information, population, logo, latitudinal information,longitudinal information, global positioning satellite information, andelevation information. This further increases the amount of informationthe student can learn when using the puzzle.

For example, the data 399 of the puzzle piece 300 illustrated in FIG. 6Acomprises the name of the State of Arizona and an indicator where thestate capital is located.

In some embodiments of the present invention the data 399 is provided onthe piece printing layer.

In some embodiments of the present invention the data 399 is provided onthe rear piece printing layer.

In some embodiments of the present invention the data 399 is provided onthe piece printing layer and the rear piece printing layer.

Refer to FIG. 6B, which is a drawing illustrating a puzzle piece withcontours of a puzzle and game flooring according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

In an embodiment of the present invention the puzzle piece 300 furthercomprises contours 311 to represent terrains, mountains, mountainranges, or elevations. This allows the user to further learn informationabout terrains and elevations. The user can easily see and understandmountain formations of various countries. This is another advantage ofthe present invention.

In an embodiment of the present invention the contours 311 areintegrated into the puzzle piece 300.

In another embodiment of the present invention the contours 311 areformed in a piece separate from the basic puzzle piece 300 and thecontoured piece 311 attaches to the piece foam layer 320, the pieceprinting layer, or the piece clear layer of the puzzle piece 300. Thisprovides an increased difficulty level for the student as they need tounderstand country location as well as terrain location.

Since some land masses, such as islands, are quite small it is notfeasible to form the puzzle piece 300 in a separate piece. Therefore, inan embodiment of the present invention the land mass is combined with awater mass or a portion of a water mass to form the puzzle piece 300.For example, an island or a plurality of islands is/are combined with anocean puzzle piece.

In an embodiment the small land mass is included with a portion of awater mass. However, the land mass shape is retained by forming theportion of the water mass in the shape of the small land mass.

In an embodiment of the present invention a plurality of small landmasses are formed in one puzzle piece.

In an embodiment of the present invention a small land mass is combinedwith a larger land mass in one puzzle piece.

Refer to FIG. 7A, which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating apuzzle and game flooring with game piece according to an embodiment ofthe present invention and refer to FIG. 7B, which is a cross-sectionaldrawing illustrating a puzzle and game flooring with game pieceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

In an embodiment of the present invention a plurality of game pieces 400are provided. The game pieces 400 are placed on puzzle pieces 300 or thetile 200 for playing a game. Each player selects a game piece 400 or aplurality of game pieces 400 that are to be under the player's controlduring the game.

In addition to providing puzzles, the present invention provides agaming platform so the puzzle pieces and the game pieces 400 can beutilized by users to play entertaining educational games with the puzzleand gaming flooring 100. The game pieces 400 are utilized on top of thepuzzle pieces 300 and/or on top of the tile 200 in order for users toplay different games.

For example, the puzzle comprises a land mass and after the puzzle issolved the game pieces are used to play a game involving the land mass.Or for example, the puzzle is a game board and after the game boardpuzzle is put together the game pieces 400 are used to play a game onthe game board puzzle.

Refer to FIG. 8A, which is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and gameflooring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 8A thepuzzle and game flooring 100 comprises a flooring 211, a tile 200, and apuzzle 390. The flooring 211 comprises a plurality of tiles as well asthe tile 200 to be used for the puzzle 390. When the puzzle and gameflooring 100 is assembled the tile 200 is positioned with the flooring211 and the puzzle 390 is positioned in the tile 200. In this embodimentthe tile 200 is not interlocking with the flooring 211. This allows thetile 200 to be easily removed or exchanged with another tile 200.

Refer to FIG. 8B, which is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and gameflooring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8B the puzzle and game flooring100 further comprises a puzzle frame 310 disposed in the tile 200 andthe puzzle 390 is positioned in the puzzle frame 310. Since the puzzleframe 310 does not interlock with the tile 200, the puzzle frame 310 caneasily be removed or exchanged for another puzzle frame 310.

Refer to FIG. 8C, which is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and gameflooring with interlocking tile according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 8C thetile 200 of the puzzle and game flooring 100 interlocks with theflooring 211. This interlocking allows the tile 200 to more firmlyremain in place with the flooring 211.

Refer to FIG. 8D, which is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and gameflooring with interlocking tiles according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 8D aplurality of tiles 200 and puzzles 390 are provided in the puzzle andgame flooring. This allows multiple puzzles 390 or games to be solved orplayed.

Refer to FIG. 8E, which is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and gameflooring with interlocking tile and interlocking puzzle according to anembodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 8E thepuzzle 390 interlocks with the tile 200. This allows the puzzle 390 tomore firmly attach to the tile 200 and remain in place in the tile 200.

Refer to FIG. 8F, which is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and gameflooring with a plurality of puzzles according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 8F thetile 200 comprises a plurality of puzzles 390. This allows multiplepuzzles 390 or games to be solved or played on a single tile 200. Italso allows a puzzle theme to be associated with a single tile 200. Forexample, the theme of the tile 200 is red and the puzzles comprise anapple puzzle, a fire truck puzzle, and a red balloon puzzle.

Refer to FIG. 8G, which is a drawing illustrating a puzzle and gameflooring with interlocking tiles according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

In the embodiment of the present illustrated in FIG. 8G the puzzle andgame flooring 100 comprises a plurality of tiles 200 that interlock toform a flooring for a room. At least one of the plurality of tiles 200comprises a puzzle outline or a puzzle frame outline so that a puzzle390 can be positioned and solved in the tile 200.

For example, one puzzle 390 comprises a country puzzle and one puzzlecomprises a chess game board puzzle. After the country puzzle has beensolved it can be referenced for country information or data and afterthe chess game board puzzle has been put together a game of chess can beplayed on the puzzle pieces.

Additionally, after puzzles have been solved they can remain in placeand constitute a part of the flooring of the room.

In an embodiment of the present invention the puzzle and game flooringcomprises an automobile floor mat. For example, the tile provides thebasic structure of the floor mat and the puzzle comprises a puzzle ofthe automobile maker's logo. After the logo puzzle has been solved thetile is placed on the floor of the automobile as a floor mat.

In an embodiment of the present invention the tile or the puzzle pieces,or the tile and the puzzle pieces comprise a biodegradable material sothat the flooring can be easily and safely disposed of.

The puzzle and game flooring of the present invention providesflexibility in learning. For example, basic puzzle pieces such ascontinents can be used by beginner students and more advanced puzzlepieces such as countries can be used by advanced students.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the present inventionwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view ofthe foregoing, it is intended that the present invention covermodifications and variations of this invention provided they fall withinthe scope of the invention and its equivalent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A puzzle and game flooring comprising: a floor tile; and a plurality of puzzle pieces, the plurality of puzzle pieces fitting together to form a solved puzzle in the floor tile.
 2. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of floor tiles that interlock to form a flooring for a room, the flooring comprising a plurality of puzzles.
 3. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of puzzle pieces is formed in a shape of a land mass.
 4. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of puzzle pieces comprises terrain contours.
 5. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 1, the floor tile comprising: a tile foam layer; a tile rubber layer disposed under the tile foam layer; a tile printing layer disposed on top of the tile foam layer; and a tile clear layer disposed on top of the tile printing layer.
 6. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 1, each of the plurality of puzzle pieces comprising: a piece foam layer; a piece printing layer disposed on top of the piece foam layer; and a piece clear layer disposed on top of the piece printing layer.
 7. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of game pieces for playing games on top of the solved puzzle.
 8. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 1, wherein the plurality of puzzle pieces comprises printed data, the printed data comprising country information, continent information, state information, province information, region information, territory information, land mass information, water mass information, mountain information, country flag, sports team information, advertising, population, logo, latitudinal information, longitudinal information, global positioning satellite information, or elevation information, or a combination of country information, continent information, state information, province information, region information, territory information, land mass information, water mass information, mountain information, country flag, sports team information, population, logo, latitudinal information, longitudinal information, global positioning satellite information, and elevation information.
 9. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of game pieces for placing on the plurality of tiles and the plurality of puzzle pieces to indicate a user's position or status.
 10. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 5, the tile printing layer comprising instructions, questions, information, feedback, hints, visual effects, pictures, game play, gaming instructions, game turn information, game turn instructions, score, points, or player information,
 11. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 1, further comprising: a puzzle frame inserted into the floor tile to hold the solved puzzle.
 12. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 1, wherein the solved puzzle is a game board.
 13. A puzzle and game flooring comprising: a plurality of interlocking tiles for providing a flooring for a room, each of the plurality of interlocking tiles comprising: a tile foam layer; and a tile printing layer disposed on top of the tile foam layer; and a plurality of puzzle pieces for piecing together in the plurality of interlocking tiles to form at least one solved puzzle, each of the plurality of puzzle pieces comprising: a piece foam layer; and a piece printing layer disposed on top of the piece foam layer.
 14. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 13, each of the plurality of puzzle pieces further comprising: a piece clear layer disposed on top of the piece printing layer; and a piece rear printing layer disposed on back of the piece foam layer;
 15. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 13, each of the plurality of interlocking tiles further comprising: a tile rubber layer disposed under the tile foam layer; and a tile clear layer disposed on top of the tile printing layer.
 16. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 13, further comprising: a plurality of game pieces for playing games on top of the at least one solved puzzle.
 17. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 13, wherein the plurality of puzzle pieces comprises printed data, the printed data comprising country information, continent information, state information, province information, region information, territory information, land mass information, water mass information, mountain information, country flag, sports team information, advertising, population, logo, latitudinal information, longitudinal information, global positioning satellite information, or elevation information, or a combination of country information, continent information, state information, province information, region information, territory information, land mass information, water mass information, mountain information, country flag, sports team information, population, logo, latitudinal information, longitudinal information, global positioning satellite information, and elevation information.
 18. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 13, further comprising: a puzzle frame inserted into one of the plurality of interlocking tiles to hold one of the at least one solved puzzle.
 19. A puzzle and game flooring comprising: a plurality of interlocking tiles for providing a flooring for a room, each of the plurality of interlocking tiles comprising: a tile foam layer; a tile rubber layer disposed under the tile foam layer; a tile printing layer disposed on top of the tile foam layer; and a tile clear layer disposed on top of the tile printing layer; a plurality of puzzle pieces for piecing together in the plurality of interlocking tiles to form at least one solved puzzle, each of the plurality of puzzle pieces comprising: a piece foam layer; a piece rear printing layer disposed on back of the piece foam layer; a piece printing layer disposed on top of the piece foam layer; and a piece clear layer disposed on top of the piece printing layer; and a plurality of game pieces for playing games on top of the solved puzzle.
 20. The puzzle and game flooring of claim 19, further comprising: a puzzle frame inserted into one of the plurality of interlocking tiles to hold one of the at least one solved puzzle. 